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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 2Scene 3
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"Women may fall"
Language
Act 2,
Scene 3
Lines 77-81

An explanation of the double meaning of “women may fall” in Act 2, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Friar Laurence

If e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine,
Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline.
And art thou changed? Pronounce this sentence then:
Women may fall when there's no strength in men.     

Romeo

Thou chid'st me oft for loving Rosaline.

This proverb has two possible interpretations:

  • Physically weaker women may fall if not supported by stronger men.
  • Morally weaker women may be unfaithful without the example of reliable, consistent men.